Celebrating Sam's Birth

Excerpts of Stories by or About Persons with Down Syndrome

Sam, because of his particular disability, would probably never be a brain surgeon or a microbiologist. When you have a child with a disability, some of your expectations are shattered. Some which you didn't even realize that you had.

(There is room for humour in this kind of stock taking. Richard, in describing to his aunt in Halifax what Down syndrome meant, said that it would probably mean Sam wouldn't be the Prime Minister of Canada but could possibly be a cabinet minister in New Brunswick).

Life with Sam has not been a tragedy or a nightmare. It's been the best year of our lives.

I'm not sure what the future holds for Sam - or for any of us. I know what I hope for him, and will work and fight for, and that is what all parents wish for their children - a life full of happiness, and stimulating experiences, and fulfilling work, and wonderful company. I hope people will celebrate Sam's birth, and be happy and excited to meet him, and enjoy being with him, and give him the best things of all - respect, optimism, acceptance and affection. I don't think that's too much to expect. I don't want to have to settle for anything less.